chanel spring couture 2012

chanel spring couture 2012 by parisonarainyday featuring ruffle tops

White day dress, £85
Ruffle top, $85
Cut25 party skirt, £68
Betsey Johnson silver stiletto heels, $126
Sophia Chloe quartz jewelry, $95

coco chic

coco chic by parisonarainyday featuring a tweed jacket

Pringle of Scotland tweed jacket, $798
Alexander McQueen high heel pumps, £238
Lanvin crystal jewelry, $750
Stylish White Veneto Suitcases - traditional - storage boxes - - by Z..., $70
paris photo - paris bicycle on parisian street, with wine crate,..., $25
Postale Document Box Set of 2 - Decorative Boxes - Home Accents - Home...
ASSOULINE Chanel Set, $75

joyeux noel

Mink Pink sheer sweater, $93
7 For All Mankind skinny jeans, $243
Steve Madden western boots, $150
Steve Madden western boots, $150
Balenciaga Paris Eau De Parfum 30ml, $70

chanel paris-bombay 2012

This set was inspired by the new Chanel Pre-fall 2012 Show at the Grand Palais, for a more in depth review look at the Paris-Bombay post. This dress and gold accessories follows the same India-inspired theme of rich, shimmering colors and silver and gold accessories. Take a simple cut dress in taffeta-must be a bright color-add gold jewelry and you're set for a fabulously rich night!
Eliza J empire waist cocktail dress, $138
Ankle wrap sandals, £52
Face jewelry, $25
ABS Allen Schwartz gold tone jewelry, $150
Chain jewelry, $30
Etro blue shawl, £280
Chanel belt, $347

Chanel's India = Pre-Fall 2012

Lagerfeld debuted Chanel's Pre-Fall show at the Grand Palais in Paris last week, the collection is title "Paris-Bombay".



When asked why Karl Lagerfeld chose Bombay instead of Mumbai he says it's because that's what the French call it, and when pressed that the English call it Bombay he replies: "You also call mousseline chiffon. In French, chiffon is something used to clean the toilet."




Ohhh Karl. You are vraiment amusant!




If Chanel were to dress Indian women this is what they would look like. Amazing.

Patinage sur Glace

Paris in the winter is FREEZING. And while this makes enjoying the outdoors a little more difficult, it gives Parisiennes opportunity to perfect the art of layering and also: Ice Skating! Or Patinage sur Glace, en français.

If you're in Paris for the holidays be sure to check out the outdoors Patinage at 3 locations:

Hotel de Ville -my personal fav. (Dec. 16- Mar. 4)

Tour Eiffel ( Dec. - Feb. 1)

Chareltey Stadium (Dec. 26 - Jan.2) More info

Don't forget the Chocolat Chaud chez Angelina on Rue de Rivoli! for more information

Best Parisian Style Coats

Couche- it's French for Coat, and in the winter a warm couche is a Parisiennes best friend!
Here are some of my top Parisienne Style Couches:

1. "Le Trench-Coat"

There is nothing classier than a Trench. Trenches keep you dry but not necessarily warm, and you can't lose with a cult favorite trench: Burberry. It's usually best to pair a trench with an outfit that involves pants/leggings and boots/heels. Wearing flats with a trench shortens your body.










2. "Le Parka"
Paris in the winter is RAINY and COLD, and if you commute by foot, by metro or by taxi chances are you are going to be cold and wet. Parkas are your best protection against the weather and Pnemonia. Black parkas with fur lined hoods have gained in popularity, and most cuts are more slimming than the original parka. Wear it over any outfit to protect you from the winter elements.














3. "Le Caban"-Pea Coat
I love Pea Coats! Why? You could be wearing an ugly old T-shirt with jeans and a sports-bra, but throw a Pea Coat on over it and you have instant chicness! So long as you keep it buttoned up. Pea Coats are perfect for fall and winter weather, the classic colors are your typical Black and Navy, sometimes cream. But my favorites are Scarlet Red, Tan and Forest Green. They're preppy and stand out from the crowd pleasing neutrals.Every Parisian fashionista has at least one wool-blend Pea Coat in her Closet.







4. "La Redingote"-Riding Jacket
I have a confession to make: I am addicted to Riding Jackets. I realize that owning one good Riding Jacket is sufficient, but I cannot stop ogling them. Part of me believes that if I buy enough R.J.s I may be magically transported into a Jane Austen novel, I'd even settle for a Philipa Gregory novel. The tight bodice and full skirt make them look so romantic, whenever I slip one on I imagine myself astride a grand stallion riding into the distant, foggy horizon along the English countryside. Le Sigh. 
I could do a whole blog focusing solely on R.J.s that's how much I Love them!




5. "Le Blouson en Cuir"-Leather Jacket

Is there anything cooler than a cigarette jean with a leather jacket? Over 60 years ago America gave us the quintessential cool guy: James Dean. He's synonymous with the cool, rebellious, carefree spirit that shaped the generations following. Leather Jackets are mostly popular as lightweight cover ups during the spring and summer. We already know they look make jeans look sexy and chic, but Parisian women pair it with a dress they bring a modern and edgy vibe to even the most maternal frocks and skirts. Need proof? Check out Pippa Middleton for inspiration. Your best bet on a leather jacket? A fitted bomber. Stay away from jackets with extra studs or zippers. Keep it simple and fitted. If you're vegan, or anti-leather there are plenty natural looking synthetics-thank you science!  


for more great jackets visit: 
modcloth
Nordstrom coats
ZARA Jackets

Chanel Fall 2011 for Cheap

This set was influenced by Chanel's 2011 Fall line, which was heavily influenced by a modern/coal-miner/chimney sweep look. Lots of grunge and hard accessories like laced up boots and black metal..

Chanel Pre-Fall 2011 for Cheap

Chanel Fall 2011 inspired look on a budget! Perfect for Fall to Winter transitioning!

Best looks from Spring 2012

Here we have a collection from beautiful photos from the top designers at Paris Fashion Week. Unfortunately, their collections didn't resonate with me enough to make an entire post on each Label, so here they are ensemble!

Valentino Spring 2012

YSL 2012, I love YSL: but it's tailored pieces are know for wearability and not excitement.

LV Spring 2012: Memo to Marc Jacobs, the underwear on runway thing, yeah it's been done the past couple of seasons already-move on!

Giambattista Valli Spring 2012

Miu Miu Spring 2012

Givenchy Spring 2012, immaculate suiting: sexy, chic and workable separately, with slacks, jean, or with more basic tops.

  Chloe Spring 2012, Definitely could see this being worn by a quintessential Parisienne on a warm May afternoon.

Loewes Spring 2012, another great ready-to-wear look, easy to imitate.

Stella McCartney Spring 2012

Nina Ricci Spring 2012, could see the Middleton sisters wearing a ton of these looks! Loved it!

Balmain 2012,Balmain kept it edgy and sexy this season.

Christian Dior Spring 2012

Photos from, www.elle.com

Paris Fashion Week SS 2012

It is my humble opinion that Paris is by far the apex out of all the Fashion Weeks (The other 3 out of 4 being : New York, then London, then Milan). Most shows take place at Le Carrousel du Louvre, others including Chanel in the past, take place at the Grand Palais.

In honor of Paris FW for Spring/Summer 2012, September  27- October5, le mot de la semaine is défilé: technically defined as a parade, it is the french word for Fashion Show. A Fashion Show is in essence a parade of models. Try using it in a sentence like: Was it just me or did the Prada défilé look like Boca Raton meets Paris Hilton? Or check out Balenciaga's défilé for SS 2012!

For a schedule of les défilés starting Monday check out this link SS 2012

Super Parisian lines to catch: Chloe, Celine, Yves Saint Laurent and Lanvin


Super jaw-dropping shows: McQueen (of course!), Chanel (of course!), Sonia Rykiel (a left bank fav) and Balmain 

Le Premier Post

Bienvenue to the first official Post of Portland on a Rainy Day! This blog focuses on the style, culture and essence that Paris exudes to it's locals and visitors alike, aiming to enrich your life with Parisian flair.


Each week will feature a word of the week "Le Mot de la Semaine", and for this week the word is début, which means beginning or commencement. 


Other things to look forward to in this blog: Fashion, Books, Traveling advice, French Wisdom and Customs, and more Amusements!


Bisous-
Paris on a Rainy Day